That summer, the days were exceptionally long. In the alley, a group of children chased and played, leaving behind the smell of milk and sweat.
Several pots of green ivy hung outside the rusty security windows, and the walls were covered with lush creepers.
It had rained the day before, and the mound of soil downstairs had become the children's toy.
"Xuyu, can I be the older sister this time?"
Tired from running, they gathered around the dirt pile to play house, squatting down to discuss their roles.
A little girl with two braids asked Chang Xuyu, who was quietly drawing, in a babyish voice.
Someone objected first: "We agreed from the start. I think Xuyu is better suited to be the older sister."
"But she's been it so many times! Can't we switch?"
The little girl pouted and began to mutter.
In fact, Chang Xuyu was indeed very fitting for the role of older sister. She was pretty, had a nice voice, and was well-behaved, loved by neighbors and children alike.
"Xuyu, what do you say?"
Chang Xuyu was startled. She had a cold, and her voice was thick with nasal congestion as she said slowly, "I'm fine with anything."
She held a small stick in her hand and drew a few flowers in the dirt.
It didn't matter what role she got; she didn't care as long as everyone had fun.
"Then let Tongtong be the older sister today!"
Seeing that Chang Xuyu had no objection, the group of children gave in.
Tongtong laughed happily, shaking Chang Xuyu's arm: "Xuyu, you're the best."
Xuyu took the plastic doll she was handed and combed its hair into a braid that matched her own.
A fine layer of sweat glistened on her forehead. Her movements were slow. Her own hair was soft, but the plastic doll's hair was different—strand by strand, she braided it with difficulty.
Suddenly, two shadows, one large and one small, loomed over her.
Chang Xuyu looked up to see a middle-aged man holding a boy's hand, smiling at her.
"Little girl, can you let my son play with you?"
He pushed the boy forward.
"Yi Zhuo, go say something to the little sister."
The boy had a scar on his forehead, neither deep nor shallow, which looked a bit frightening up close.
His expression was like a thundercloud gathering, his eyes full of a gloom that sent chills down one's spine.
Clearly, he didn't want to.
Chang Xuyu looked at the two helplessly.
The middle-aged man's lips twitched. His smile vanished, replaced by anger.
Then, with a kick, he knocked the boy to the ground, roaring viciously, "I can't cure this stubborn temper of yours!"
Yi Zhuo fell to his knees, eating a mouthful of dirt.
Chang Xuyu was terrified but instinctively reached out her arm to shield Yi Zhuo, who was half a head taller than her, behind her.
"Uncle, please don't hit him! I, I'll play with him. You can rest assured."
Yi Zhuo turned abruptly, and the first thing he saw was Chang Xuyu's glossy black braid.
He came to his senses, spat out the mud in his mouth, and looked at the man, his narrow eyes full of hatred and restraint.
Hearing Chang Xuyu speak, the man closed his eyes to calm down, realizing he had acted impulsively.
After the man left, Yi Zhuo stood aside with a frown. Perhaps it was because of his fierce look, but the other children stayed away from him, except for Chang Xuyu.
He didn't bother with the kids either.
As the sunset faded, he scratched his head impatiently, hot and restless.
Turning to look at Chang Xuyu, he saw the little girl's sweat dripping onto the ground from her fair skin. He clicked his tongue and walked over to see what she was doing.
"What are you drawing?" he asked disdainfully, examining it for a moment but failing to recognize what it was.
Chang Xuyu blinked, unfazed, and said slowly, "I don't know either, but I think drawing is fun."
"Oh, don't tell me your dream is to become an artist?"
The little girl's eyes lit up. "How did you know!"
Yi Zhuo didn't answer, thinking she was adorably naive.
He raised an eyebrow and waved his hand. "Your dream will come true."
*
Back home, Chang Xuyu told her mother about what happened that day.
The woman was cleaning the stove in the kitchen. She thought for a moment and said casually, "That must be the family that just moved in, living in this building."
But she had chatted with the neighbors today and heard that the family seemed quite wealthy. Why would they move into a place like this?